Abracadabra’s magical blog!

Central Florida Vacations – A Blast of Culture!

Culture is not normally a strong consideration during a holiday in Central Florida. However, whilst you’re staying in one of our gorgeous vacation villas – or even staying in a local hotel - take a day away from Disney, Universal, Sea World and the other theme parks, and take a drive up to the fantastic community just North of Orlando called ‘The Villages’.

This amazing community (worth a visit in its own right), is located about 60 miles northwest of Orlando, and spans parts of three counties: Lake, Marion, and Sumter. The Villages is the creation of central Florida’s well-known Schwartz family, and continues to be run by the family today.

The Villages comprises two discrete communities – Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs.  Each of these has its own Market Square with a very different ambiance, and each Square offers a host of places to dine and eat, and every evening there is free entertainment available

It is in Spanish Springs - nestled just off Spanish Springs Town Square - that you can get a dash of culture by visiting The King’s Gallery.

John and Candy Coldwell, the gallery owners will be delighted to have you stop by to stroll through the gallery and check out their wonderfully eclectic selection of artworks by various artists. Whether you enjoy ‘typical’ Florida artwork, or are attracted to Caribbean-style works – or you crave some fine art – John and Candy are guaranteed to have something within their collection that you will long to take home. They have a wealth of knowledge about their catalogue and will be pleased to help you make a selection.

They can arrange to frame your selected artwork for you, as they have a framing team on-site.

John even offers a fabulous service to residents – he will visit your home, and then make recommendations for artworks which will complement the space they occupy, and of course, each other. He will deliver and hang all their artworks as part of their service.

Call in to see John and Candy – they’ll make you very welcome.

The King’s Gallery – 1110 Main Street – The Villages – Florida 32159

Telephone 1-352-259-6998     Fax 1-352-259-6948

www.thekingsgallery.com

Effective January 2008, Disney-MGM Studios was renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios,
announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort.

“The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today’s Hollywood has to offer - in music, television, movies and theater,” she said.

Framed by the park’s supporting cast of classic Hollywood architecture are shows and attractions straight from contemporary Hollywood, such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show”, and many more.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also the place to meet favorite character stars of today including Lightning McQueen and Mater from Disney-Pixar’s “Cars,” Power Rangers and Little Einsteins.

With exciting coming attractions and experiences, the best and brightest of Hollywood is about to emerge for park guests, Crofton said.

“As Disney continues to grow and invest in our family entertainment business, we constantly explore new ways to deliver high-quality, immersive experiences for our guests,” she added. “As a park all about entertainment, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will deliver like never
before.  Now we can say that Hollywood is literally our middle name.”

Enjoy the delights of Disney’s Hollywood Studios by staying in a fabulous vacation rental home with Abracadabra Rentals. We’re just 4 miles from Disney!

From now to June 1^st, Epcot is hosting an amazing array of concerts available to park guests as part of the general admission fee.

Come and see some of the great names from the 60s and 70s at the American Gardens open air theatre.

Their ‘Flower Power’ Rock Concerts are available during 3 shows each evening at 5.45; 7.00 and 8.15 pm.

Scheduled performers include the following acts:

*Entertainment subject to change without notice.
All songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the play list.

 Be close to all the Disney action with a beautiful vacation home with Abracadabra Rentals. We’re just 4 miles from Disney. Come and see our fabulous vacation homes with private pools - some with game rooms, internet access and even some with FREE INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS!!! All part of the Abracadabra service!

How is this for cool?

Not for our friend Frank any ‘normal’ pick up truck…….nope, he can be spotted in some part of the Four Corners area any day of the week, in his waaay cool El Camino, working hard on his pool route.

This has got to be the pool truck to beat all pool trucks! You can bet he attracts dozens of second glances by surprised subdivision Gate security guards, customers and passers-by.

Frank’s boundless enthusiasm for his cars is matched only by his superb talents with pools!

Look out for him if you’re in the area, and give him a wave!

SeaWorld is opening it’s new attraction, Aquatica, on March 1st. This is an eight acre water park that SeaWorld has built just down the road from the main attraction on International Drive.

The Park has 36 separate water slides as well as two simultaneous wave pools that can be operated together or independently. There are also gift shops and restaurants including one that specializes in health foods, The Waterstone Grill, and another Mango Market which will make up picnic baskets for people to take with them. Another, Banana Beach Cook - Out, will enable customers to buy a single dining pass which will allow them to go back throughout the day whenever they are hungry of course.

In one of the pools you can share the water with Commerson Dolphins which look like Killer Whales but are a much smaller version. If this is still too close for comfort then you can watch them from behind glass.

This sounds as though it is well worth a visit if you are a water and sun lover and then you can compare it with the other water parks like Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Water Mania.